Focus on criminals, stop targeting journalists, CPJ tells Nigerian security agencies

The Committee to Protect Journalists urged Nigerian authorities to release three journalists, Zainab Sodiq, Stanley Ugagbe, and Tega Oghenedoro, also known as Fejiro Oliver.

The committee on Friday condemned the actions of security agencies and urged them to channel their resources on insecurity in the country rather than detaining journalists.

CPJ Africa Director Angela Quintal said the actions were completely “outrageous,” adding that Ms Sodiq’s detention by intelligence agents lacked due process.

“Nigeria’s security services must focus their time and resources on the real criminals and not journalists who are keeping the public informed,” Ms Quintal said.

She also pointed out harsh bail requirements imposed on journalists, describing Mr Ugagbe’s bail conditions as “utterly punitive.”

On July 6, Mr Oliver was summoned by the Nigerian Police over allegations that he leaked government information to foreign countries and engaged in cyberstalking. His arrest was primarily linked to his investigative reporting.

He was detained in 2017, and in 2025, he spent 61 days in custody before being granted bail in November. He still faces charges of cybercrime and defamation.

Similarly, Ms Sodiq was detained by the State Security Service (SSS) on July 8 after acknowledging an invitation from the agency over the alleged possession of a drone without the proper End User Certificate.

Meanwhile, Mr Ugagbe was secretly abducted and detained at an unidentified police facility before being moved to the National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja, where he was later released on bail on July 6 without charge.